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| | Email this article • Print this article | Group fighting teen drug, alcohol use
by Nancy Busiahn
According to a 2004 student survey, 7% of Cannon Falls sixth graders admitted they had drunk alcohol during the past year, and the percentage rose to 42.5% for the freshmen class. An astonishing 79.5% of the 2004 senior class acknowledged drinking one or more times.
Compare the local numbers to Goodhue County averages of 12.5% of sixth graders, 46.5% of freshmen, and 67% of seniors, and the local problem is hard to ignore.
If that isn't enough evidence, the same survey indicated that 18% of Cannon Falls freshmen, and 43% of the seniors, admitted binge drinking during the two weeks prior to the survey. For males, binge drinking is defined as consuming five or more alcoholic drinks within two hours; for females, it's four drinks in two hours.
35.6% of Cannon Falls seniors said they had driven drunk or drugged, and 40% had ridden with a friend who was drunk or using drugs.
33.5% of local seniors had used marijuana, and 4.5% had tried methamphetamines. 54% had used tobacco. 70.5% of seniors felt alcohol or drug use was a problem in the school.
The survey also asked students to name the number one deterrent to alcohol use. The clear answer: Parent disapproval or, more graphically, "My dad would kill me."
Knowing that alcohol and drug use was a common denominator in many of the county's social problems, and sensing a need for a united response to the problem, the county family services collaborative began organizing the Goodhue County Chemical Health Initiative (CHI) in 2004, and provided $21,000 in funding to get it started.
Beth Loechler, coordinator for the group, says there are no quick fixes for the problems. "It's a long-term process for change, putting together community resources to address these problems." Because the survey was anonymous, she feels there was no incentive for students to lie, and the results are pretty accurate.
The goal of the CHI is simple: to improve the quality of life for county families and youth by reducing underage drinking and illegal drug use. Using multiple strategies across multiple sectors of the community, the organization hopes to involve churches, education, business, law enforcement, health care, civic organizations and recreation, youth, and parents.
The collaborative is funded with a $500,000 grant - $100,000 per year for five years - United Way donations, a contribution from the county's welfare board, and fundraising.
The group believes prevention efforts and early interventions will reduce chemical use by students; reduce the number of relapses following treatment; increase youth access to chemical health services; improve academic performance and school success; increase school safety; improve partnerships between parents, students, school, and community resources; and reduce juvenile crime.
Cities in the county agreed to form individual task forces, and Cannon Falls organized its group in April 2006. Using the theme of "Make A Ripple," the Cannon Falls organization has been present at many local events: written letters to the editor of the Beacon; held a town hall meeting; attended training sessions; made a keynote presentation at the annual prayer breakfast; addressed elementary school parents during a choir concert, distributed posters, worked with local on and off-sale liquor retailers to verify driver's license; and contacted as many local groups and organizations as possible to enlist their help.
The group is targeting adults who provide alcohol to minors, and has established a tip line for anonymous calls about providers or teen parties.
Adult use or misuse of alcohol is not part of the organization's focus, and there is no attempt to dictate adult alcohol use. Members of the group are encouraging adults to "stop and think" about the message they are delivering to their children.
The local board meets monthly at First English Lutheran Church. Bucky Lindow, a teacher at Cannon Falls schools, is the chair, and a high school student is a full voting member. All serve on a voluntary basis.
Board members from the Cannon Falls schools have set a goal of 2010 for a chemical-free campus. They are getting a lot of support from the parents of fourth, fifth, and sixth graders, noted Dr. Kerry Brown, a psychologist from Cannon Falls and vice-chair of the local group. "They see it, and they don't want it for their children."
Julie Hatch is the chemical health prevention specialist for county schools. She's a certified substance abuse prevention specialist, and spends time at each school, on a regular schedule. She provides information, chemical use screenings, interventions, case management and family support; coordinates referrals, conducts classes and presentations; coordinates the transition from treatment back to school; and other services.
She's at Cannon Falls High School/Middle School on Tuesday mornings, and maintains a central office at Fairview Professional and Community Center in Red Wing. Contact her at 651-385-3307, office; 651-399-1242, cell; or email julie.hatch@chi-goodhue.org
Loechler is also employed by the Goodhue County Education District headquartered in Wastedo, and can be contacted at 263-5570.
For more information on the Cannon Falls chemical health initiative, contact a member of the local board: Lindow, Brown, Micki Callister (EMT), Kathy Hofmann (parent), Kristen Engebretsen (healthcare), Mike Johnson (community/youth athletics), Lisa Wilcox-Erhardt (city), Kathy Illa (education), Nancy Mills (business), Kari Williamson (faith), Jill Karnick (police), Janet Schaefer-Klein (parent), or Greg Wulf (business).
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